US dollar hits 4-month low as Bitcoin trader predicts 10% drop to come

Bitcoin (BTC) may enjoy a familiar tailwind in the coming weeks and even beyond if new macro forces continue to play out.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Dec. 14, popular trader Crypto Ed, founder of trading group CryptoTA, eyed multi-month lows in U.S. dollar strength.

Bitcoin trader targets sub-100 DXY dive

Bitcoin and dollar strength have in the past exhibited inverse correlation. While this has decreased in recent times, changes to U.S. macro policy are now broadly seen to boost Bitcoin but pressure the greenback going forward.

As Cointelegraph reported, the week’s macro data prints, combined with encouraging signals from the Federal Reserve, have analysts pointing the way to…

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Ripple issues white paper on CBDCs, reiterates belief in their potential

Ripple has doubled down on its public support for central bank digital currencies by issuing a white paper on CBDCs. The 23-page document was released by the blockchain company on Dec. 14.

In the document, Ripple explains the basics of CBDCs, their attractiveness and risks, and barriers to widespread adoption. The white paper states that CBDCs help expand financial inclusion, streamlining cross-border payments and reinforcing monetary policy control. As the text goes:

“CBDCs are needed to support the most significant positive impacts of asset tokenization, an increasingly targeted mechanism for transforming tangible assets into digital tokens stored on the blockchain.”

Among the…

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Brazil signs its overseas crypto tax bill into law

The President of Brazil, Luis Inácio Lula da Silva, has signed a law introducing the taxation of crypto assets held abroad by the country’s citizens. 

Lula signed the law on Dec. 12, which was then published the following day in the official Gazette of the Union. With some reservations, the law will come into force from Jan. 1, 2024.

The new taxes will not apply exclusively to crypto but also to profits and dividends gained by Brazilian taxpayers from investment funds, platforms, real estate or trusts abroad. The Brazilian government intends to collect around 20 billion reals ($4 billion) of new taxes next year.

Related: IRS lists 4 crypto crimes among its top cases in 2023

Those who…

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U.S. financial regulators’ annual report warns of AI risks

A panel of regulators warned on Dec 14 that the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) could create new risks for the United States’ financial system if the technology is not adequately supervised.

The Financial Stability Oversight Council, comprised of top financial regulators and chaired by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, flagged the risks posed by AI for the first time in its annual financial stability report.

Though the team acknowledged AI’s potential to drive innovation and efficiency in financial institutions, they stressed the need for companies and regulators to remain vigilant due to the swift technological advancements.

In its annual report, the group emphasized that…

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Check Out the Top Crypto Gainers of the Day

  1. Bonk (BONK): 96.2%
  2. Samoyedcoin (SAMO): 80.2%
  3. XANA (XETA): 62.1%
  4. Rats (RATS): 59.1%
  5. MAP Protocol (MAP): 31.7%
  6. Echelon Prime (PRIME): 28.6%
  7. Helium (HNT): 26.1%
  8. Storj (STORJ): 24.2%
  9. FUNToken (FUN): 20.8%
  10. Bounce (AUCTION): 20.6%

Disclaimer: Market capitalizations can vary in real-time. The information provided here is intended purely for educational purposes and should not, under any circumstances, be construed as financial advice.

Solana phone sales skyrocket as degens scramble for pumped-up BONK

Memecoin hopefuls have been snapping Solana’s crypto phone in droves after a recent price hike for Solana memecoin Bonk (BONK), which has risen more than 1,100% in the last 30 days. 

Since the Solana phone was launched on May 8 this year, new owners have been able to claim a free 30 million airdrop of the memecoin, but a recent rise in the token’s price has presented an interesting arbitrage opportunity for buyers.

“Solana phone sales have >10x’d in the past 48 hours, and are now on track to sell out before the new year,” wrote Solana co-founder Raj Gokal in a Dec. 15 post to X (formerly Twitter).

lol. just so everyone is aware, @solanamobile saga sales have >10x’d in the past 48…

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Even the Pope has something to say about artificial intelligence

Over the past year, there’s been no shortage of scientists, tech CEOs, billionaires and lawmakers sounding the alarm over artificial intelligence — and now, even the Pope wants to talk about it too.

In a hefty 3,412-word letter dated Dec. 8, Pope Francis — the head of the Catholic Church — warned of the potential dangers of AI to humanity and what needs to be done to control it. The letter came as the Roman Catholic Church prepares to celebrate World Day of Peace on Jan. 1, 2024.

Pope Francis wants to see an international treaty to regulate AI to ensure it is developed and used ethically — otherwise, we risk falling into the spiral of a “technological dictatorship.”

“I urge… Read more on Cointelegraph

SafeMoon falls 31% in five hours after filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy

The token of decentralized finance protocol SafeMoon (SFM) has fallen 31% in five hours after the company filed for bankruptcy.

Safemoon officially applied for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection in a Dec. 14 filing to the United States Bankruptcy Court in the District of Utah, . The voluntary petition was filed by attorney Mark Rose with Chief Judge Joel T. Marker assigned to the case.

Today’s bankruptcy filings in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court District of Utah. Source: U.S. government

A screenshot of a letter to employees allegedly written by the firm’s chief restructuring officer surfaced on Reddit, explaining that its bankruptcy run was why it was no longer able to pay employee wages…

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Throw money at tech-forward politicians

Venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) is hoping to push pro-crypto and AI regulation forward with seemingl new strategy: Throwing money at politicians.

“If a candidate supports an optimistic technology-enabled future, we are for them. If they want to choke off important technologies, we are against them,” wrote Ben Horowitz, one of the firm’s founders, in a Dec. 14 post, adding:

“Every penny we donate will go to support like-minded candidates and oppose candidates who aim to kill America’s advanced technological future.”

Horowitz said it would be the “first time” a16z pursues the lobbying route to promote tech-friendly politicians. However, it reportedly held a…

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Web3 firm sees future where gamers rent out their in-game assets for crypto

Imagine a future where a player is able to rent an in-game item via blockchain, giving them tools to pass a difficult level, or borrow an NFT that gives them the ability to try a new game on their wishlist.

Such a feature is one that Polemos co-founder Richard McLaren is hoping will one day become the norm, along with an economy where players rent out their in-game assets for a fee.

In an interview with Cointelegraph, McLaren announced a new partnership between his gaming infrastructure service Polemos and fantasy battle game Illuvium, a move he said would help break down barriers for players looking to get started on Illivium’s platform.

“It just represents a much easier entry point…

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